Locking Latch for Telescoping Tripod

Abstract

A locking latch used with a telescoping support stand having one or more telescoping sections. Each section includes an inner tubular member with a plurality of positioning holes along its length and an outer tubular member with a latch hole positioned typically near the upper end of the outer member so as to line up in registration with the positioning holes as the inner tubular member is extended out of the outer tubular member. The outer member carries a latch mechanism comprising a latching arm that that has a locking disposition in which the arm extends through the outer member latch hole and one of the inner member positioning holes in registration with the outer member latch hole to hold the inner and outer tubular members in substantially fixed extension with respect to one another. A catch is provided in the form of a notch or a tang that is structured and arranged to prevent the latching arm from being moved out of the locking disposition when the weight of the inner tubular member bears down on the latching arm and to permit the latching arm to be moved out of the locking disposition when the inner tubular member is lifted with respect to the outer tubular member. In another embodiment a tang is provided that catches on a hole in the latching arm to define the locking disposition.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to portable telescoping tripods or similar support stands such as may be used for supporting worklights or the like.[0002]Portable worklights are found in a variety of settings such as construction sites, industrial plants, automotive and auto body repair shops, artist and photographic studios, and around the home for do-it-yourself projects. An example of such a worklight is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,297 of Lee. These lights are often used with a separate upright stand with one or more extendable telescoping sections such as a telescoping tripod for adjusting the height of the worklight above the ground or work surface. In keeping with common usage, such extendable support structures may sometimes be referred to herein as “tripods,” and no limitation specifically to a three-legged structure is intended.[0003]A number of releasable locking mechanisms are known for holding the telescoping sections of the tripod in thei...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]It is an object of the present invention to provide a catch for a pin-type latching mechanism that is not only secure against unintended, careless and accidental collapse of the extended section under the action of the supported weight, but also is simple to manufacture with no significant addition to the cost of manufacture. It is also an object of the invention to provide a catch arrangement that gives the locking mechanism a comfortable feel to the user when in use.

Problems solved by technology

The locking mechanisms can be problematic when the tripod is used with these worklights.

The larger worklights may weigh around fifteen pounds or more and tend to be unwieldy when set atop an extended tripod, which is often moved around during use to reposition it as the job progresses.

If the user does not tighten the collar sufficiently, the tripod can unexpectedly slip and collapse.

While this arrangement avoids the problem of slippage due to insufficiently tightened collars, it is subject to abrupt and unexpected collapse for a different reason.

Thus, the pin mechanism is not normally used on tripods intended to support any substantial weight such as a dual-head halogen worklight.

This approach, while viable, is less than ideal due to manufacturability difficulties and performance drawbacks.

Images